Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society

Table of Contents - 2007 - Volume 13, Issue 04  


BRIEF COMMUNICATION

Impulsive behavior in adults with attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder: Characterization of attentional, motor and cognitive impulsiveness

L.  MALLOY-DINIZ  a1 a2 c1 , D.  FUENTES  a3 , W. BORGES  LEITE  a1 a2 , H.  CORREA  a4 and A.  BECHARA  a5 a6
a1 Neuropsychology and Neurosciences Research Group, Health Sciences School, FUMEC University, Bairro São Lucas, Brazil.
a2 GEDAHI, Research Group on Learning, Attention and Hyperactivity Disorders (Grupo de Estudos dos Distúrbios da Aprendizagem, Atenção e Hiperatividade) Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
a3 Psychology & Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, Clinical Hospital, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
a4 Mental Health Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
a5 Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
a6 Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

Article author query
malloy-diniz l   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
fuentes d   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
leite wb   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
correa h   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
bechara a   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity. Impulsivity persists in adults with ADHD and might be the basis of much of the impairment observed in the daily lives of such individuals. The objective of this study was to address the presence, and more importantly, the three dimensions of impulsivity: attentional, non-planning and motor, in how they may relate to neuropsychological mechanisms of impulse control. We studied a sample of 50 adults with ADHD and 51 healthy comparison controls using the Barratt Impulsivity Scale Version 11 (BIS), and neuropsychological tasks, namely the Continuous Performance Task (CPT-II) and the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). The ADHD group showed more signs of impulsivity on the three dimensions of BIS, committed more errors of omission and commission on the CPT-II, and made more disadvantageous choices on the IGT. These results support the existence of deficits related to three components of impulsivity: motor, cognitive, and attentional among adults with ADHD. Most importantly, this study also highlights the complementary nature of self-report questionnaires and neuropsychological tasks in the assessment of impulsivity in ADHD adults. (JINS, 2007, 13, 693–698.)

(Received August 27 2006)
(Revised January 5 2007)
(Accepted January 8 2007)


Key Words: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Decision making; Impulsiveness; Inhibitory Control; Iowa Gambling Task; Barratt Impulsivity Scale.

Correspondence:
c1 Correspondence and reprint requests to: Leandro Fernandes Malloy-Diniz, Avenida Contorno, 3979 conjunto 404/406. Bairro São Lucas. Belo Horizonte-MG—CEP 30110-090, Brazil. E-mail:malloy.diniz@terra.com.br

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